Jurgen Klopp reportedly has a strong relationship with the agent of Florian Neuhaus and with Liverpool reportedly interested in signing him, this will be a major advantage.
Florian Plettenberg reports for Sport1 that Klopp wants Neuhaus after talks were held in the last few days. Liverpool are yet to make an offer but are expected to pursue their interest in the player after the EUROs.
He goes on to say that it will cost over €40million but there is no release clause so Michael Edwards will need to reach an agreement with Gladbach over a fee which could complicate matters.
MOENCHENGLADBACH, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 21: Florian Neuhaus of Borussia Monchengladbach celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and FC Augsburg at Borussia-Park on November 21, 2020 in Moenchengladbach, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Plettenberg adds that of all the teams in the Premier League, Liverpool have shown the most interest. Patrick Berger, also reporting for Sport1, says there are ‘talks with agents’ but that the release clause has ‘elapsed’ and that the transfer fee is freely negotiable.
Well known Bundesliga journalist, Christian Falk, confirms Liverpool’s interest in Neuhaus and adds that there is contact but that no concrete negotiations were held until now. He also said back in April that Neuhaus has his heart set on Anfield.
Plettenberg speaks to the Liverpool Echo
He said: “Neuhaus is very good in front of goal and he is a dangerous player. He is very flexible and can also play on the wings – technically and physically very good, and the perfect player for Jurgen Klopp.
“Klopp has shown that he can develop players and I have never heard a player who could not imagine working with him! Klopp knows the [agent] of Neuhaus and the [agent] of Neuhaus knows Klopp very well, so it could be the perfect match – he would fit very well.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MAY 08: (THE SUN OUT,THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT)Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool at the end of the Premier League match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on May 08, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“If you speak with him, you can see that he is very open-minded. He knows what he has to do.”
Where will Neuhaus fit in at Liverpool?
Georginio Wijnaldum’s exit this summer might be something that Liverpool grow to regret but they need to replace him to make sure that an injury to Thiago and co. doesn’t leave them with a midfield injury crisis similar to the one they had in defence this season.
Neuhaus is an interesting option because I can’t see him slotting in straightaway without a change in his own playing style or without Klopp making tactical changes to the setup of his engine room.
The German midfielder is best as the deepest midfielder as he likes to collect the ball from his central defenders before dictating the tempo and flow of the game. His arrival will be great for Liverpool’s ability to control games.
This is the main advantage to having him over Wijnaldum. The Dutchman is a terrific ball winner and can run tirelessly for 90 minutes but he has often struggled to control games and more often than not simply matches the flow of a game.
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – JUNE 13: Georginio Wijnaldum of Holland during the EURO match between Holland v Ukraine at the Johan Cruijff Arena on June 13, 2021 in Amsterdam Netherlands. (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
If Liverpool are under the cosh and are in need of someone to put their foot on the ball and slow things down to regain control or a foothold in midfield, he’s not your man but Neuhaus thrives when trusted to dictate the tempo of a match.
It will be interesting to see how this works with Fabinho, who as the side’s no.6, will be the deepest midfielder while Thiago also thrives when he’s on the ball and can spray passes across the pitch with ease.
Yves Bissouma and Youri Tielemans are built more in the mould of Wijnaldum in terms of controlling games but they have more attacking value than Neuhaus so, if he joins, it will be fascinating to see how Klopp utilises him.
